Seat Mount Advice
Discussion
Hi All
A quick question, particularly for anyone who knows about welding...
I'm putting a new drivers seat in my S, as I've never found it particularly comfortable or supportive. The new seat comes with universal runners, which are exactly the same width as the old seat mounts, which is a result!
However, they are too short by around 30mm (see superbly executed picture).
I figure welding an extension tab onto the end is very easy - but I'd like to be as safe as possible. So is this a sound idea? Should I find some U extrusion to carry on the original shape and, presumably, the strength?
All thoughts welcome.
A quick question, particularly for anyone who knows about welding...
I'm putting a new drivers seat in my S, as I've never found it particularly comfortable or supportive. The new seat comes with universal runners, which are exactly the same width as the old seat mounts, which is a result!
However, they are too short by around 30mm (see superbly executed picture).
I figure welding an extension tab onto the end is very easy - but I'd like to be as safe as possible. So is this a sound idea? Should I find some U extrusion to carry on the original shape and, presumably, the strength?
All thoughts welcome.
Earlier cars (than S types) sometimes had the seat fitted directly to the floor and without runners, set to the drivers preference. That is fine if you are the only driver, and probably you are?
I wouldnt extend the runners, not unless you are going to do a thorough job. A runner tab breaking when you are cornering hard is not going to be a good idea! Remember, welds are often more brittle than the original steel.
I would decide where you want the seat and attach the new runners accordingly. The seat will usually go forward further than anybody needs so almost certainly you can use the existing rear mounting holes and drill some new ones for the front mounting. Do check however that there is clearance underneath.
This would also be a good time to get 4 thin stainless plates, maybe 2mm and 70mm square, to use as load spreaders under floor. On hard braking or cornering the seat tries to lift up and two of the mountings on mine were dangerously close to pulling through.
I wouldnt extend the runners, not unless you are going to do a thorough job. A runner tab breaking when you are cornering hard is not going to be a good idea! Remember, welds are often more brittle than the original steel.
I would decide where you want the seat and attach the new runners accordingly. The seat will usually go forward further than anybody needs so almost certainly you can use the existing rear mounting holes and drill some new ones for the front mounting. Do check however that there is clearance underneath.
This would also be a good time to get 4 thin stainless plates, maybe 2mm and 70mm square, to use as load spreaders under floor. On hard braking or cornering the seat tries to lift up and two of the mountings on mine were dangerously close to pulling through.
greymrj said:
Earlier cars (than S types) sometimes had the seat fitted directly to the floor and without runners, set to the drivers preference. That is fine if you are the only driver, and probably you are?
I wouldnt extend the runners, not unless you are going to do a thorough job. A runner tab breaking when you are cornering hard is not going to be a good idea! Remember, welds are often more brittle than the original steel.
I would decide where you want the seat and attach the new runners accordingly. The seat will usually go forward further than anybody needs so almost certainly you can use the existing rear mounting holes and drill some new ones for the front mounting. Do check however that there is clearance underneath.
This would also be a good time to get 4 thin stainless plates, maybe 2mm and 70mm square, to use as load spreaders under floor. On hard braking or cornering the seat tries to lift up and two of the mountings on mine were dangerously close to pulling through.
That's probably a better idea actually, thanks. I didn't really want to drill the floor, but on consideration, that's seems best. I wouldnt extend the runners, not unless you are going to do a thorough job. A runner tab breaking when you are cornering hard is not going to be a good idea! Remember, welds are often more brittle than the original steel.
I would decide where you want the seat and attach the new runners accordingly. The seat will usually go forward further than anybody needs so almost certainly you can use the existing rear mounting holes and drill some new ones for the front mounting. Do check however that there is clearance underneath.
This would also be a good time to get 4 thin stainless plates, maybe 2mm and 70mm square, to use as load spreaders under floor. On hard braking or cornering the seat tries to lift up and two of the mountings on mine were dangerously close to pulling through.
I'll look at making making up some spreader plates too. At the moment, it's on the biggest penny washers I could find!
This is what I used. Not stainless but well up to the job.
http://www.wickes.co.uk/Wickes-Flat-Square-Washers...
You can probably find M8 ones at your local fencing stockist.
Zinc plated and so if protected with under-body seal (yuk!) should last well.
http://www.wickes.co.uk/Wickes-Flat-Square-Washers...
You can probably find M8 ones at your local fencing stockist.
Zinc plated and so if protected with under-body seal (yuk!) should last well.
on my S3 the bolts are in a kind of recess, you won't get big washers on the bolts.
Strips of metal betwween each front and rear bolt are the answer imho
If you don't want to drill the floor I'd look at bolting the runners to some strips then bolting them through original holes, welding sounds complicated and dodgey!
Strips of metal betwween each front and rear bolt are the answer imho
If you don't want to drill the floor I'd look at bolting the runners to some strips then bolting them through original holes, welding sounds complicated and dodgey!
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